Linda Hartke, coordinator of the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance. (Hartke is a former director of programs and operations for CWS.)

Photo: T. Abraham/CWS

Reviewing government pledges on reversing the AIDS pandemic: an interview with Linda Hartke

May 2, 2006

Church World Service is a founding member of the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (EAA). The CWS Education and Advocacy Program works with EAA to develop national and international strategies and policies to respond to HIV, AIDS and the role of world trade in sustaining poverty and blocking access to affordable medicines.

In 2001, heads of state and representatives of 189 governments agreed on concrete, comprehensive action against HIV and AIDS. A three-day UN summit starting at the end of this month will review progress in keeping the promises made five years ago. The UN General Assembly Special Session on AIDS called on civil society groups, including faith-based organizations, to monitor and report on government promises made in 2001.

EAA’s Linda Hartke is on the UN Civil Society Task Force preparing for the review. Church World Service’s Thomas Abraham asked Hartke about EAA’s top priority for the Task Force and the summit.

Hartke: My priority is bringing faith-based voices to the effort to hold governments accountable to their promises. Accountability is a key theme for the Civil Society hearing that is part of the summit’s official program. The HIV epidemic is so massive. In the five years since the 2001 Declaration of Commitment, the tide hasn’t turned.

Every government is obligated to report on its performance. We’ve mobilized faith communities to follow up with governments and talk to the media and call for greater action.

In 27 countries there will be a shadow report alongside the government report. This is an important independent tool for assessing progress. Four non-governmental organizations are working together on these shadow reports. Churches in Germany are taking the lead role in issuing a shadow report for that country.

CWS: What are the chances of a meaningful review?

Hartke: I think that political will is increasing. There are good signals that governments in Africa have a sense of common purpose and strength as they head towards the review. Their meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, this month will be an important indicator of the momentum.

The real test will be how honest governments are prepared to be about shortcomings. Instead of inflating accomplishments, they need to be honest about what’s working and not working. It’s no surprise that country reports are disappointing. It’s like asking a child to fill out its own report card.

CWS: In their Declaration of Commitment, governments agreed to take action on 10 specific priorities. How are they doing?

Hartke: The 2001 Declaration of Commitment had targets with multiple checkpoints. The major piece proposed in 2001 was the creation of the Global Fund. It has already expended billions of dollars. The creation and financing of a new independent structure to channel those resources is an achievement. There has also been progress in strong workplace policies in many places.

On the other hand, the World Health Organization’s campaign to get anti-retroviral treatment to three million people by 2005 has fallen short. Only one million infected people have received treatment. We are still falling far short of the concept of universal access to treatment for every HIV+ person. We are also falling far short of the promise to eradicate stigma and discrimination, and to protect the human rights of people living with HIV. One final, glaring point of failure is the inadequate protection of women and girls. In the five years since commitments were made, if there’s one very obvious new trend, it’s the feminization of the epidemic.

CWS: How many faith-based organizations are represented in the Task Force?

Hartke: Only EAA. It’s a bit daunting. But then, there’s only one person representing trade unions and one member representing youth. HIV + people are represented by two members. There are two people from the Program Coordination Board on UNAIDS. One of them is Mary Balikungeri of Rwanda Women’s Network, who was formerly with CWS.

CWS: Medical patents and intellectual property rights are making it hard for developing countries to get affordable medications. How will the summit address these hurdles?

Hartke: In the political declaration that is issued at the summit, we’re hoping that the connection will be made between trade issues and obstacles to affordable treatment. I’m sure the US will work to make sure no mention is made of the link. We’ve met with the ambassador from Barbados, who is helping draft the political declaration for the summit. The declaration is to be adopted on June 2, when heads of state are here.

Pediatric AIDS is one aspects of the epidemic that pharmaceutical companies need to address quickly. Drug companies don’t bother to test children. In many parts of the world testing is only done as a means of prevention, so that someone knows their status and doesn’t infect others. There’s little motivation in providing kids with meds because they are not putting others at risk. Appropriate and affordable diagnostic services and tests for children are badly needed. Dosages need to be specially adjusted for them. It’s particularly difficult for young children to take lots of pills. One of the major areas of failure pointed out by the UNAIDS April 21 report is mother to child infection.